What is an oscillating molecular dipole defined as?

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SUMMARY

An oscillating molecular dipole is defined as both the periodic motion of atoms within a molecule and the oscillations in electron density. The atomic nuclei oscillate at frequencies corresponding to infrared light, while the electron density oscillates at visible and ultraviolet frequencies. This dual behavior results in distinct absorption lines or bands in infrared (IR) and ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectra, confirming that both atomic and electronic movements contribute to the dipole's oscillation.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of molecular dipoles
  • Familiarity with infrared (IR) and ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy
  • Knowledge of atomic structure and electron density
  • Basic principles of molecular vibrations
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  • Research the principles of infrared spectroscopy and its applications
  • Explore ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy techniques
  • Study molecular vibrations and their impact on molecular dipoles
  • Learn about the relationship between electron density and molecular behavior
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Chemistry students, spectroscopists, and researchers in molecular physics who seek to understand the behavior of molecular dipoles and their implications in spectroscopy.

apeters
Is an oscillating dipole of a molecule the periodic motion of the atoms in the molecule (the oscillating back and forth of a more negatively charged atom and more positively charged atom), or, is an oscillating molecular dipole just oscillations in electron density? I just can't get a clear answer on this.
 
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Both. While the motion of the nuclei is in the frequency range of infrared light, the oscillation of the electronic charge density occurs at frequencies in the visible and ultraviolet part of the spectrum. Hence they lead to absorption lines or bands in the respective IR and UV-Vis spectra.
 
Both. While the motion of the nuclei is in the frequency range of infrared light, the oscillation of the electronic charge density occurs at frequencies in the visible and ultraviolet part of the spectrum. Hence they lead to absorption lines or bands in the respective IR and UV-Vis spectra.
 

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